Tripod head with slimmest QR plate

ped

ped

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,798
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi there

I use a rangefinder camera and a very light tripod. I don't mind screwing the tripod into the camera (it has a built in ball head which is OK) but if I wanted to add a quick release plate to the top, what's the thinnest system available? I don't like having a chunky plate attached to the bottom of the camera.

I like the look of the KPS SL50 but I think it only comes with a ball head of it's own, and Ideally I only want the bottom plate to attach to my current head and the plate for the camera.

Hope you followed that

KPS SL50

1d_l50_1024x1024.jpeg
 
I use a manfrotto which is quite bulky, but the KPS SL50 you show looks compact, though I don't know how bulky the tripod head is. The other choice would be an L bracket which follows the contours of the camera more, but also defeats the object I would think.

EDIT. looking online I think you have the slimmest plate, expensive but neat.
 
Last edited:
The Sirui TY-C10 is a small Arca/Swiss plate, only 8mm thick. I use the Novoflex QPL Slim plates which are 9.5mm thick (this is the 50mm but 25mm & 39mm are also available. There's also this one with a slight lip which is fine if your camera is small enough. These are all Arca/Swiss compatible so the largest selection of heads and clamps is available to you.
 
Last edited:
Thanks very much for the suggestions guys. I'll have to get some and see which is best, I think. I recently used a Manfrotto one which was a pain because it snagged on my bag every time I put the camera away so hopefully these will be less angular and lower profile.
 
ped said:
Thanks very much for the suggestions guys. I'll have to get some and see which is best, I think. I recently used a Manfrotto one which was a pain because it snagged on my bag every time I put the camera away so hopefully these will be less angular and lower profile.
Click to expand...

This one looks better for your purpose - SunwayFoto PT-26, nicely rounded and only 5mm thick. And it's standard Arca-Swiss compatible, the best and most popular tripod QR system. You can use it turned either left-right or front-back. Edit: if you wanted to use it left-right, might be easier with a lever-locking head clamp.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUNWAYFOT...6R-/272579600176?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

SunwayFoto ball heads are also high quality, and CameraGearUK is a very good supplier.
 
Last edited:
HoppyUK said:
This one looks better for your purpose - SunwayFoto PT-26, nicely rounded and only 5mm thick. And it's standard Arca-Swiss compatible, the best and most popular tripod QR system. You can use it turned either left-right or front-back. Edit: if you wanted to use it left-right, might be easier with a lever-locking head clamp.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUNWAYFOT...6R-/272579600176?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

SunwayFoto ball heads are also high quality, and CameraGearUK is a very good supplier.
Click to expand...

Excellent that does indeed look just right. Thanks. Ok next question. As my tripod is quite lightweight and has a built in ball head, what's the cheapest and lightest way if attaching the arcs Swiss plate? Basically I'm looking for the tripod end clamp but a clamp that can screw into an existing head.

Sorry, this is a bit complicated but I think it'll be great when finished. I used my tripod a lot in Iceland and screwing it on and off was a bit of a pain.
 
ped said:
Excellent that does indeed look just right. Thanks. Ok next question. As my tripod is quite lightweight and has a built in ball head, what's the cheapest and lightest way if attaching the arcs Swiss plate? Basically I'm looking for the tripod end clamp but a clamp that can screw into an existing head.

Sorry, this is a bit complicated but I think it'll be great when finished. I used my tripod a lot in Iceland and screwing it on and off was a bit of a pain.
Click to expand...
SunwayFoto DDC-26... it has a 1/4-20 threaded hole so it should screw right onto the ballhead.
 
I recently bought an Andoer DM-55 Arca-style clamp for £13 : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer-Release-Gradienter-Camera-Wimberley/dp/B00N5HHRO2 It's surprisingly well made and does the job. It's designed for a 3/8" screw, though, so you might need one of those thread reducers you can buy for a couple of pounds if you only have a 1/4" screw on the tripod head (the head I use it on has a reversible double-ended screw with both fittings). Like many of these low-cost accessories from China, you'll see the DM-55 sold under various brands.
 
Yes, if your tripod head just has a bare 1/4in bolt that screws directly into the camera, then either of those two Arca-Swiss type clamps mentioned above will do, as will just about any A-S clamp for that matter - just screw it straight on :thumbs: Personally, I'd prefer to avoid the 3/8in to 1/4in bushing that most clamps need, so the one Steven linked would be preferable on that score. Or, one of my personal favourite clamps is this one, that also has a 1/4in threaded hole, and also a fast-thread on the locking screw. And it's small and light and pretty cheap :) Note that there's another version of this clamp with a 3/8in hole, so watch that if you order.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Scr...=1493825145&sr=1-15&keywords=arca+swiss+clamp
 
Retune said:
I recently bought an Andoer DM-55 Arca-style clamp for £13 : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer-Release-Gradienter-Camera-Wimberley/dp/B00N5HHRO2 It's surprisingly well made and does the job. It's designed for a 3/8" screw, though, so you might need one of those thread reducers you can buy for a couple of pounds if you only have a 1/4" screw on the tripod head (the head I use it on has a reversible double-ended screw with both fittings). Like many of these low-cost accessories from China, you'll see the DM-55 sold under various brands.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks - I did come across something like that which was slimmed down somewhat, a bit like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FotoPanda...539081?hash=item3f7a953789:g:qV8AAOxy0NtTFdle which would fit the bill. I didn't know Arca Swiss was a standard, it sounded like an expensive proprietary mount to me so that's good to know.

Camera is a relatively small digital rangefinder and the tripod is a Tamrac Zipshot which believe it or not is the best tripod I've ever had, because it's so small and quick to use I actually take it with me!!

Cheers
 
HoppyUK said:
Yes, if your tripod head just has a bare 1/4in bolt that screws directly into the camera, then either of those two Arca-Swiss type clamps mentioned above will do, as will just about any A-S clamp for that matter - just screw it straight on (y) Personally, I'd prefer to avoid the 3/8in to 1/4in bushing that most clamps need, so the one Steven linked would be preferable on that score. Or, one of my personal favourite clamps is this one, that also has a 1/4in threaded hole, and also a fast-thread on the locking screw. And it's small and light and pretty cheap :) Note that there's another version of this clamp with a 3/8in hole, so watch that if you order.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Scr...=1493825145&sr=1-15&keywords=arca+swiss+clamp
Click to expand...

Brilliant, thanks. Yes I think the tripod hole on my camera is a 1/4", will double check.

Thanks for all the help guys
 
Arca-Swiss make (very) high end tripod heads and stuff, and introduced a dovetail QR system in the 90s that has since been widely adopted. It's the closest we've got to a universal standard, but actually there is no specification set down and this can sometimes cause problems. Basically some manufacturers get hold of a sample and copy it, then someone else copies them and this can lead to slight variations. I have a lot of A-S stuff and maybe one in ten cheap Chinese bits might be a bit off, but so far I've managed to make everything work with a bit of filing ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ped
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top